US Army Confirms Arrest of American Soldier in Russia – The Presidential Prayer Team

The chairman of the National Security Council and the House Foreign Affairs Committee warns US citizens not to travel to Russia.

The US Army and the National Security Council (NSC) have confirmed that a US soldier was arrested in Russia last week.

Staff Sergeant Gordon Black, previously stationed in South Korea, was on a leisure trip to Russia when he was arrested by Russian authorities on May 2 in Vladivostok, a port city near the China-North Korea border. Authorities claimed he stole from a woman.

The NSC did not accuse Russia of unlawfully detaining the U.S. soldier, but reiterated its strong warning that “U.S. citizens should not travel to Russia at this time.” A spokesperson added that the State Department was “providing appropriate assistance to the soldier in Russia consular assistance granted”.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas agreed with the NSC’s announcement and said he was “deeply concerned” about the reports.

“Putin has a long history of taking American citizens hostage,” Congressman McCaul wrote. “A warning to all Americans – as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia.”

Pray with us as the Lord leads you…

• For Chairman McCaul, who wants to protect Americans from incarceration in foreign countries.
• For State Department officials issuing travel warnings and advisories to U.S. citizens.
• For U.S. citizens who are unjustly imprisoned to turn to the Lord in hope of release.

Sources: The Hill, Military Times

CURRENT PRAYER UPDATES